Boston Celtics Eyeing Jermaine O’Neal

The 2010 National Basketball Association Eastern Conference Champions Boston Celtics direly need a big man. During their recent NBA Finals series with the Los Angeles Lakers, they lost Kendrick Perkins in Game 6 to a knee injury and it may take until spring next year for him to recover. The Lakers won Game 7 to capture their back-to-back crown. 15-year veteran Rasheed Wallace, who has two years remaining in his contract with the Cetlics, may opt to retire next season due to nagging back problems.

Kevin Garnett and Glen Davis need help at the post and Celtics GM Danny Ainge knows it. This is why he is keen on pursuing Jermaine O’Neal, a free agent out of the Miami Heat. The 14-year veteran O’Neal has career averages of 14 points and close to 8 rebounds per game.

The planned offer was reportedly close to $6 million on the first year of a two-year contract. It may be a substantial pay cut but the opportunity to play with a championship contender may be enough to lure O’Neal into the Celtics lineup.

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